Sharing roads with bikes, motorcycles

It’s graduation season for Mat-Su Borough School District seniors, which marks our unofficial local start to summer.

Summer here brings with it certain hazards — like throngs of visiting relatives — not present during Alaska’s winter months. Oh yeah, summer also is the time to get reacquainted with the scent of bug repellant, the throaty rumble of motorcycles and the sight of people of all ages pedaling their bikes for health and good fun.

But it’s more than summer weather that is yielding a bump in bike traffic this year, according to Marc Luiken, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner. He said gas prices topping $4 a gallon have more people pushing the pedals to work or school.

To raise awareness about the increased presence of bicycles on the roadways, Gov. Sean Parnell has proclaimed May as Bike Month, May 14 to 18 as Bike Week and May 20 as Bike to Work and School Day.

“The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities joins with organizers of Bike to Work events throughout the state to encourage both bicyclists and motorists to be extra careful on Alaska roads, not just during Bike to Work Day, but always,” Luiken said in a press release announcing the governor’s proclamation.

State law recognizes bicyclists as legitimate users of Alaska’s roadways, and they are required to follow the rules of the road, including riding on the right side of the road, signaling turns and stopping at stop signs and stop signals. Luiken advised cyclists also to ride on the shoulder of the road, if one is available and in good condition.

And he urged motorists to do their part by allowing a safe distance between vehicles and cyclists when passing, and especially to watch for cyclists and not cut them off when making right-hand turns.

According to Alaska Statute 44.12.118, each May also is designated as Motorcycle and Motor Scooter Awareness month. The idea is to change the driving habits of motorists and motorcyclists alike and thereby decrease the number of motorcyclists who are killed and injured in crashes.

Overall, research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 39 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

To help improve motorcycle safety, Valley Alaska Bikers Advocating Training and Education is offering classes in Palmer on Saturdays and Sundays. To sign up, visit valleyabate.com or send email to valleryridered@gci.net.

Working together, we can make sure more of our loved ones make it home alive.